Material holding bracket platform and method for utilizing the same in roofing constructions



3,271,921 TILIZING A. L. DIVOKY ATFORM AND METHOD FOR U THE SAME IN ROOFING CONSTRUCTIONS Filed April 6, 1964 o l F/G. 2

MATERIAL HOLDING BRACKET PL Sept. 13, 1966 I CI: 1r :1 I

INVENTOR. 0 i Vok/ United States Patent 0 3,271,?21 MATERIAL HOLDING BRACKET PLATFORM AND METHOD FER UTllLlZiNG THE SAME IN ROOF- ING IONSTRUCTIONS Alvin L. Divoky, 1207 Childs Road, Omaha, Nebr. Filed Apr. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 357,501 4 Claims. (Cl. 52-747) This invention relates to the construction of roofs for single story buildings. In particular, this invention relates to a platform bracket holding device that facilitates the carpentry operation wherein skeletal roof structures are overlaid with a primary skin of rigid sheet material.

Roof structures generally comprise two or more planar slopes that intersect one another. In the construction of roofs for dwellings and other buildings, the several slopes are first provided in skeletal form. Each skeletal roof slope comprises a plurality of parallel rib-like rafters spaced sixteen to twenty-four inches apart; the rafters employed are commonly 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 lumber posts,

these designations indicating the nominal rectangular crosssectional dimensions in inches of the lumber posts. The rib-like rafter skeleton is then overlaid with a primary skin of rigid sheet material, said overlaid primary skin or applied roof sheetng itself being ultimately overlaid with weather-resistant shingle material.

Rectangular plywood sheets, having dimensions of eight feet long by four feet Wide and a thickness of to /2 inches, are being increasingly used as the primary skin overlay. Commencing at the overhanging horizontal eave, which is the lowest portion of a roof slope, several plywood sheets are positioned lengthwise in end-to-end abutment conterminously along the length of the eave and are nailed down onto the rafter skeleton so as to provide the first row of primary skin overlay. Toward the apex or peak of the roof and in adjecent abutment with the first row, a second row is provided by similar end-to-end positioning and nailing. This process is repeated for subse quent rows until the apex of the roof is reached The individual plywood sheets of the adjacent abutting rows are staggered so that the ends are not in alignment, thus strengthening the overlaid structure. While the major portion of the roof overlay consists of full-sized four by eight rectangular plywood sheets, there are also employed smaller odd-sized sheets specially cut and sized to fit at the row ends and along the apex of the roof. The cuttingand-sizing operation is comparatively simple in the case of a gable roof, i.e. two rectangular planar slopes that intersect only at a horizontal apex. In the case of hip roofs wherein a plurality of irregularly dimensioned planar slopes are joined at angu-larly sloping intersections as well as at a horizontal apex, the cutting-and-sizing operation is likely to be quite diflicult and time consuming.

Because both the sloping rafters of the skeletal roof and the plywood sheets are of a slippery nature, it is extremely diflicult and unsafe to provide upon the roof structure itself a supply of plywood sheets for the overlay operation. In the case of a one-man operation, the only economical way an individual working alone can provide a ready supply of plywood sheets upon the roof is to install onto the skeletal roof structure some type of elaborate scaffolding paraphernalia; scaffolding invariably involves block and tackle or other cumbersome rigging that must be reinstalled at alternate postions as the overlay operation progresses.

Because of the supply problem associated with the oneman operation, those in the building trade commonly utilize for single story structures a multi-man procedure wherein a man at ground level supplies three or four carpenters on the roof simply by manual elevation of an individual plywood sheet up from the ground to a carpenter awaiting on the roof. In the case of single story structures, the horizontal roof eave is commonly only ten to fourteen feet above the ground; thus, it is physically possible for the average man having a reach of seven feet above the ground to manually elevate a single eight foot long sheet so that an end thereof projects a foot or so above the horizontal eave. Yet, this procedure has certain shortcomings. Because of economic considerations, the ground man is charged with the additional responsibility of cutting-and-sizing the odd-sized sheets requred. So as to keep up with the carpenters overlay operation, the ground mans cutting-and-sizing operation is constantly interrupted with a call from the roof for another sheet of plywood. These calls and interruptions are detrimental to the productivity of both the roof men and the ground man, and hinders the overall efiiciency of the overlay operation. Obviously, the roof men can be provided with an ample supply of sheet material by means of scaffolding paraphernalia installed onto the skeletal roof, but as previously mentioned, this is a cumbersome and time-consuming procedure.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a means by which a skeletal roof of a single story building can be provided with an amply supply of plywood sheet material for the primary skin overlay operation, without the use of troublesome scaffolding paraphernalia that is installed onto the roof structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method by which a single ground man may provide for the overlay operation of a single story building a supply of plywood sheet material that is ample for the continuous needs of three or more roof men without interfering with the cutting-and-sizing responsibility of the ground man.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method by which a single individual may economically perform, for a single story building, the entire overlay operation including the functions of supply and cuttingand-sizing, without the use of troublesome scaffolding paraphenalia attached onto the roof structure.

These and other objects and advantages are accomplished by means of a novel platform bracket that may be removably attached into secure longitudinal and rotational engagement with a variety of rectangular crosssectional lumber posts and without damaging the lumber post for a subsequent desired use.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing two parallel lumber posts leaning against a horizontal eave of a simple gable roof structure, each of said posts being provided with the novel bracket platform of the present invention, the pair of bracket platforms maintaining a supply of plywood sheets adjacent to and extending above the horizontal eave of a skeletal roof structure.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the bracket platform surrounding and secured to a lumber post of rectangular cross-section.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the bracket platform of FIGURE 2. A sheet of plywood is being elevated onto the platform by a human hand.

FIGURE 4 is a back side elevation view of the bracket platform of FIGURES 2 and 3.

FIGURE 1 demonstrates use conditions of the bracket platform device 10. Two identical bracket platforms are each removably attached into secure longitudinal and rotational engagement with rectangular cross-sectional lumber posts 11, said posts herein being as 2 x 4s of sixteen foot lengths. The two so equipped posts are shown standing parallel to one another on the ground and leaning against a plywood sheet 12 along the eave of a gable type roof, said sheet having been nailed down onto the rib-like rafters so as to provide a portion of the roof primary skin. A plurality of supplied plywood sheets 13 are shown standing on edge upon the two parallel bracket platform devices 10, said sheets leaning uprightly against the parallel lumber posts 11. The bracket platform devices are attached to posts 11 at whatever position is suitable whereby the top edges of supplied eight foot long sheets 13 extend a foot or more above the roof, as determined by the already nailed sheet 12. Plywood sheets standing in this elevated position can be readily grasped by a carpenter located upon sheet 12. If the cave is about ten feet above the ground as is a common case, the platform bracket is located about three to four feet from the bottom or ground end of the lumber post 11. Once the bracket platform device 10 is supplied with plywood sheets, and while the supply lasts, the ground man can continue without interruption his responsibility of cutting-and-sizing odd-sized sheets.

From FIGURES 2-4 it can be seen that bracket platform device 10 comprises a rectangular box-like collar 14 including a planar front panel 15, a planar back panel 16, and end panels 17. Rectangular cross-sectional lumber post 11 passes internally through collar 14. The acute angle point 19 of metallic threaded bolt 18 penetra'tes lumber post 11 and thus removably engages the platform bracket 10 into secure longitudinal engagement with lumber post 11. Penetration of acute angle point 19 is facilitated by means of handle member 20 which is attached to metallic threaded bolt 18. Threaded bolt 18 is secured by a threaded perforation 21 located along back panel 16 substantially medially between end panels 17.

If the penetration ofacute angle point 19 into lumber post 11 exceeds about inch, then a large measure of protection against rotational movement of the bracket platform device 10 is provided. To accomplish this degree of penetration, the threaded bolt 18 must be engaged by at least four full helical turns of threaded perforation 21. So as to provide quantitatively sufliciently threading irrespective of the thickness of back panel 16, the threaded perforation 21 is supplied by means of threadedly-perforate block 22 welded to the back panel 16, said back panel having an aligned perforation to allow passage of threaded bolt 18.

Platform member 37 is securely welded to and projects outwardly from front panel 15, the bifurcated outward end of platform member 37 being securely provided with fixed shaft 38. Shaft 38 journals a rotatable roller 39 so as to provide an arcuate curvilinear terminus for platform member 37 that facilitates the manual elevation of plywood sheets 13 from the ground onto the platform mem ber 37. Further, because the arcuate curvilinear roller 39 extends above the upper surface 42 of platform member 37, it also prevents the lower ends of the already supplied plywood sheets from sliding outwardly on platform member 37. Platform member 37 is provided with diagonal brace 40 which is attached as by welding between the outward lower edge of platform 37 and a lower portion of front panel 15.

The bracket collar 14 has twelve pairs of aligned perforations 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33-, 34 and 35, each pair passing at identical positions through both the front panel 15 and the back panel 16. Broad-head restraining pins 23 are shown passing through perforation pairs 26, 27, 32 and 33 so as to enclose lumber post 11 therebetween. The presence of at least one pin 23 on either side of lumber post 11 assures rotational stability of the bracket platform 10 in cases of heavy loads, e.g. more than fifteen /2 inch thick full-size plywood sheets stacked upon upper surface 42 of platform member 37. Further, the presence of at least one pin 23 on either side of threaded bolt 18 facilitates central positioning of the platform bracket 10 across the width of lumber post 11 whenever it is desired to change its longitudinal location to any desired position along the length of lumber post 11. That the bracket platform device can be secured along the lumber post at an infinite number of positions, makes the bracket platform operable irrespective of the ground contour upon which the twin lumber posts stand.

Certain dimensions of the bracket platform 10 require some consideration. As the penetrable lumber posts, 2 x 4s, 2 x 6s, and 2 x 8s (these designations indicating the nominal rectangular cross-sectional dimensions in inches) are preferred since they are commonly used by carpenters and hence are generally available at building sites. Actually, the 2 thickness designation is a mis nomer because these common lumber posts are traditionally about 1% inches thick instead of the full 2 inches. Similarly, the 4, 6, and 8 width designations are misnomers because these common lumber posts are traditionally inch smaller than indicated. It is, therefore, essential that the rectangular internal cross-section of the rectangular collar have dimensions exceeding 1% inches thick and 7% inches wide so as to thus accommodate any one of these three so designated lumber posts. Accordingly, spacing of the aligned perforation pairs through the front and back panels of the collar is so accomplished that the insertion of broad-head pins 23 therethrough will be located near the sides of whatever width penetrable post 11 is selected so as to assure its rotational stability. Thus, perforation pairs 32 and 33 should be about 3 inches apart, pairs 31 and 34 should be about 5% inches apart, and pairs 39 and 35 (or in their absence, end panels 17) should be about 7% inches apart.

Although acute angle point 19 of threaded bolt 13, used to removably engage the bracket device It with a lumber post 11, actually penetrates the lumber, no damage is done to the structural capabilities of the post. After the bracket platform device 10 is removed, the lumber can be used for other purposes without damage whatsoever except-for a shallow harmless dent.

If the acute angle point 19 is sutficiently sharp, and if the metallic threaded bolt 18 is sharder than the post, even metallic posts of rectangular cross-section may be employed. However, metallic posts are not as readily available to the average carpenter and they are not likely to be so employed with the platform bracket of the pres- Thus, the bracket platform of the present invention provides a means for facilitating the plywood sheet overlay operation for skeletal roofs of one story structures. There is provided a means by which a single ground man can supply sufiicient plywood sheets to meet the continuous needs of the carpenters upon the roof while at the same time, once the bracket device is supplied, having time to cut-and-size the required odd-sized sheets. There is also provided a means whereby a single man, alternating between ground and roof positions, can economically overlay a skeletal roof point.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and describe-d, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A bracket platform device for holding a plurality of plywood sheets in an upright leaning position, said bracket platform being adapted for removable attachment into secure longitudinal and rotational engagement at any preselected longitudinal position along a penetrable post of rectangular cross-section, said bracket platform comprising:

(A) A rectangular collar member adapted to surround a post of rectangular cross-section, said collar comprising four planar panels including multi-perforate front and back panels and two end panels, said four panels being joined together so as to form an integral box-like structure, said collar having a rectangular cross-section the dimensions of which exceed 7% inches wide and 1 /8 inches thick,

(B) Attached to said multi-perforate front panel near the top of said collar member, a platform member projecting outwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the said front panel, said platform member having an arcuate curvilinear terminus that extends above the upper surface of said platform member,

(C) A rigid brace connected between said platform member and said multi-perforate front panel near the bottom of said collar member,

(D) At least two broad-head restraining pins passing through perforations of both said front and back multi-perforate planar panels,

(E) A threadedly perforate block attached to said multi-perforate planar back panel at a position substantially medially between said end panels, and

(F) A threaded metallic bolt having an acute angle point passing through and securely engaged by at least four full helical turns of said threadedly perforate block.

2. The method of providing a skeletal roof with a primary skin of rigid sheet material, said method comprismg:

(A) Nailing down onto the rafters of a skeletal roof,

a horizontal eave less than fourteen feet above the ground, a first sheet of rigid sheet material, said sheet material being located along and conterminous with said horizontal eave,

(B) Passing a penetrable post of rectangular crosssection through the rectangular collar of a bracket platform device, said bracket platform device comprising a four panel rectangular collar member, one of said four panels having attached thereto a platform member that is substantially perpendicular to said panel,

(C) Removably securing the bracket platform to said penetrable post at least three feet from one end, by means of -a threaded bolt having an acute angle point, said threaded bolt passing through a collar panel,

(D) Positioning at least two of said so bracketed penetrable posts parallel to one another and obliquely against the said first nailed sheet of rigid sheet material,

(E) Manually elevating rigid sheet material onto the upper surface of said platform member and standing said sheet material on a lower first end thereof whereby the upper end of said standing sheet material extends above said first nailed sheet,

(F) Manually removing said standing sheets one at a time by grasping said upper end, and

(G) Nailing down said manually removed sheets onto the rafters of the skeletal roof.

3. A bracket platform device for holding a plurality of plywood sheets in an upright leaning position, said bracket platform being adapted for removable attachment into secure longitudinal and rotational engagement at any preselected longitudinal position along a penetrable post of rectangular cross-section, said bracket platform com prising:

(A) A rectangular collar member adapted to surround a post of rectangular cross-section, said collar comprising four planar panels including multi-perforate front and back panels and two end panels, said four panels being joined together so as to form an integral box-like structure, said collar having a rectangular cross-section the dimensions of which exceed 7% inches wide and 1% inches thick.

(B) Attached to said multi-perforate front panel near the top of said collar member, a platform member projecting outwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the said front panel, said platform member having an arcuate curvilinear terminus and means extending above the upper surface of said platform member for maintaining the upright plywood sheets upon the platform member,

(C) A rigid brace connected between said platform member and said multi-perforate front panel near the bottom of said collar member,

(D) At least two broad-head restraining pins passing through perforations of both said front and back multi-perforate planar panels,

(E) A threadedly perforate block attached to said multi-perf-orate planar back panel at a position substantially medially between said end panels, and

(F) A threaded metallic bolt having an acute angle point passing through and securely engaged by at least four full helical turns of said threadedly perforate block.

4. The method of providing a skeletal roof with a skin of rigid sheet material, said method comprising:

(A) Nailing down onto the rafters of a skeletal roof, a horizontal eave less than fourteen feet above the ground, a first sheet of rigid sheet material, said so nailed sheet material being located along and substantially conterminous with said horizontal eave,

(B) Attaching a platform member to an elongate post member, said platform member projecting outwardly from and being substantially perpendicular to said elongate post member at a position at least three feet from an end thereof,

(C) Positioning at least two of said so platformed post members parallel to one another and obliquely against the said first nailed sheet of rigid sheet material,

(D) Manually elevating rig-id sheet material onto the upper surface of said platform member and standing said sheet material upon a lower first end thereof whereby the upper end of said standing sheet material extends above said first nailed sheet,

(E) Manually removing said standing sheets one at a time by grasping the upper end thereof, and

(F) Nailing down said manually removed sheets onto the rafters of the skeletal roof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,054,551 9/1936 Verone 248-210 2,405,505 8/1946 Kleidon 182-403 X 2,486,077 10/ 1949 Taylor 248244 X 2,703,692 3/1955 Felix 248*244 3,198,470 lO/l965 Owens 248-245 3,213,965 10/1965 Tedoryk 1821l7 X FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

M. O. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiner. 

4. THE METHOD OF PROVIDING A SKELETAL ROOF WITH A SKIN OF RIGID SHEET MATERIAL, SAID METHOD COMPRISING: (A) NAILING DOWN ONTO THE RAFTERS OF A SKELETAL ROOF, A HORIZONTAL EAVE LESS THAN FOURTEEN FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, A FIRST SHEET OF RIGID SHEET MATERIAL, SAID SO NAILED SHEET MATERIAL BEING LOCATED ALONG AND SUBSTANTIALLY CONTERMINOUS WITH SAID HORIZONTAL EAVE, (B) ATTACHING A PLATFORM MEMBER TO AN ELONGATE POST MEMBER, SAID PLATFORM MEMBER PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID ELONGATE POST MEMBER AT A POSITION AT LEAST THREE FEET FROM AN END THEREOF, (C) POSITIONING AT LEAST TWO OF SAID SO PLATFORMED POST MEMBERS PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER AND OBLIQUELY AGAINST THE SAID FIRST NAILED SHEET OF RIGID SHEET MATERIAL, (D) MANUALLY ELEVATING RIGID SHEET MATERIAL ONTO THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID PLATFORM MEMBER AND STANDING SAID SHEET MATERIAL UPON A LOWER FIRST END THEREOF WHEREBY THE UPPER END OF SAID STANDING SHEET MATERIAL EXTENDS ABOVE SAID FIRST NAILED SHEET, (E) MANUALLY REMOVING SAID STANDING SHEETS ONE AT A TIME BY GRASPING THE UPPER END THEREOF, AND (F) NAILING DOWN SAID MANUALLY REMOVED SHEETS ONTO THE RAFTERS OF THE SKELETAL ROOF. 